SANYO Solar Modules used for Markham's first municipally-owned Solar PV Rooftop project to power under the Ontario's Feed-In Tariff program

January 26, 2011

Woodbridge, ON, January 26, 2011 -- The temperature was below zero, but there was a warm glow among those who gathered on Wednesday to celebrate the official launch of the first municipally-owned project to provide power under Ontario's Feed-In-Tariff program: a new 250kW solar rooftop system at the Town of Markham's offices at 8100 Warden Avenue.

The system, which uses industry-leading conversion efficiency SANYO HIT Â® Power 215A solar PV modules, will produce enough clean electricity each year to power 26 average Ontario homes (based on 9.6MWh/year/home) and will earn Feed-in-Tariff revenue at the rate of $0.713/kWh. SANYO HITÂ® modules are ideal for rooftop installations, due to their high energy density and leading conversion efficiency. One dignitary at the launch noted that in the middle of January's deep freeze, it is good to know that the sun can give us power and warmth.

"Markham's Greenprint Community Sustainability Plan has been driving the use of renewable energy sources in general and solar technology at community facilities. With a 10 kW solar project at the Markham Civic Centre and more projects to come, contributing clean energy to the grid with solar power is a big part of Markham's broad plan to increase the energy efficiency of its civic buildings and lower its overall environmental footprint," said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti.

"Markham is showing great leadership in energy efficiency and is helping Ontario build a clean energy economy with this solar project that will produce clean power for Ontario families," said Ontario Energy Minster Brad Duguid.

"Ontario's energy plan is creating new opportunities for families and businesses in Markham, and across Ontario as we build a clean, modern energy system."

In 2003, Ontario had 19 polluting coal-powered generating plants and no solar projects online. Today more than 2,900 solar projects are feeding electricity into Ontario's grid, eight coal units have been shut down, and by 2014 all coal units will be closed, the Ministry of Energy says.

Mr. Koshi Terakawa, President of SANYO Canada, said: "It is an honour to be invited to this launch ceremony and to witness solar energy being embraced by the province, municipality, and the local distribution company. We are also very pleased to be here together with Carmanah Technologies Corp. and Satcon representatives as project participants and partners. Carmanah selected SANYO's HITÂ® product for use in the design-build contract and we are delighted to have produced another successful project. SANYO are striving to contribute to the increased use of clean energy sources with our innovative technologies."